How did Welsh athletes perform at Paris 2024?

Wales proving itself on the world stage

Yes, we’re a small nation but once again we proved to be a powerhouse. 35 Welsh athletes, a record number, were selected by Team GB for the Olympics and 21 Welsh athletes headed to Paris this year as part of ParaGB, who celebrated the best-ever Paralympic medal haul in 20 years.

You did not have to look far for a Welsh athlete – from archery and athletics to taekwondo and wheelchair fencing, Wales was certainly well represented across a wide range of sports.

Wales’ strength was particularly evident in the Olympic cycling and swimming events. In fact, three of the four riders that won bronze in the Women’s Team Pursuit are Welsh.

And at the Paralympics, Wales contributed four of the 11-strong table tennis squad – that’s 36%.

Wales’ women smashing it in Paris

We saw a near 50/50 split when it came to male and female competitors at Paris 2024. Of the 56 Welsh athletes, including reserves, 27 were women.

And notable highlights include:

• Elinor Barker who became the most decorated Welsh woman at the Olympics when she won her fourth medal.
• Emma Finucane becoming the first British woman athlete to win three medals at a single Olympic Games since 1928.
• Jodie Grinham winning two medals while seven months pregnant at the Paralympic Games.

Welsh athletes entered the history books at Paris 2024 

We’ve whooped and celebrated some extraordinary moments from our Olympians and Paralympians:

• Matt Bush becoming the first man to win a para-taekwondo gold medal for ParalympicsGB – and went on to be the flagbearer at the closing ceremony.
• Sabrina Fortune breaking her own world record on her first throw of the Paralympics.
• Ruby Evans causing Wales to jump for joy when she became the first Welsh gymnast to compete at an Olympic Games since 1996.
• Anna Hursey entering the history books as Wales’ first ever Olympic table tennis player – and she’s just 18!
• Ella Maclean-Howell blazing a trail as Wales’ first mountain biker to compete at an Olympic Games.
• Jasmine Joyce gaining legend status, becoming Great Britain’s first rugby player to appear at three different Olympic Games.
• Matt Richards as part of the first ever swimming team to defend an Olympic relay gold medal with the same four team members.
• Ben Pritchard leading the single scull para rowing from start to the finish and winning by more than 10 seconds. We were tired just watching.
• Laura Sugar setting a new Paralympic record as she successfully defended her Paralympic title in the women’s para canoe KL3 event.

More than medals 

Wales’ athletes have delivered incredible performances, win or lose. Their sheer determination and the journeys that have brought them to this moment have brought a tear to many an eye as they have triumphed over adversity.

• Josh Tarling suffering a puncture in the men’s cycling time trial race only to race right back into contention.
• Olivia Breen narrowly missing out on bronze but bouncing back to encourage others to follow their dreams, “Find what you’re good at and don’t ever give up because you never know.”
• Jeremiah Azu missed out on the men’s 100m after a false start but made an epic comeback in the men’s 4x100m relay.
• Olympians and Paralympians giving their all and, despite disappointments, picking themselves back up and cheering on their team-mates and inspiring others.

Wales’ athletes are multi-talented

This was certainly Paris’ greatest show and on stage was an array of athletes from Wales that are strong believers in trying out and enjoying as many sports as possible in your younger years.

Just take rower Ben Pritchard who has also enjoyed competing in sailing and triathlon. Cyclist James Ball is actually a former swimmer while para canoeist Laura Sugar represented Wales in non-disabled hockey. Matt Bush was a javelin thrower before he discovered taekwondo and, of course, Olivia Breen competed in the 100m and the long jump. 

What a multi-talented bunch!

National Lottery funding

The biggest supporter of our Olympians and Paralympians are the players of The National Lottery.

The good causes funding has been a game changer for Welsh sport for almost 30 years, supporting our top athletes so they can train full-time, have access to the world’s best coaches and benefit from pioneering sports science and medical support.

The National Lottery also supports the community clubs that nurture young talents as well as world-class sporting facilities such as the Geraint Thomas Velodrome in Newport and the Principality Stadium in Cardiff.

As Aled Davies – who has won three golds, a silver and a bronze over four Paralympic Games – says: 

“Without the support of The National Lottery, I wouldn’t have been able to achieve what I’ve achieved. It has allowed me to progress, push that world record up every year and now I’ve taken the sport to a place that no one ever thought. It’s down to the amazing support of The National Lottery and all the amazing players out there.”

Inspiring the next generation

Our stars of Paris are fuelling the dreams of young people. How many children watched the sporting drama unfold and decide, “That’s what I want to do”?

And of course, it’s not just about inspiring the next generation of Olympians and Paralympians, it’s sparking an enthusiasm to get on your bike, get in the pool, to run fast or just try something new. 

Ed Davies is the club secretary at Towy Riders in Carmarthen; the club where it all started for golden girl Emma Finucane. He says the Paris effect is undeniable:

“We’ve definitely had more enquiries from parents whose children have watched the Games and want to give cycling a go. Our junior members have been tremendously excited – they’ve been blown away to see what a girl who came through the club has achieved on the world’s biggest stage.”

How to get involved

If you’ve been inspired by Paris 2024, there are lots of opportunities to get involved in sport right across Wales.

Just visit your local authority’s leisure services website or get in touch with a National Governing Body of Sport – like Welsh Athletics, Welsh Cycling or Table Tennis Wales - to find your nearest club.

If you’re looking for disability sport opportunities in your area, the team at Disability Sport Wales would love to chat with you.